Temple Concord to fold its past into the future during rededication on Sunday

Editors' note: This story was written by contributing writer Liz Sauchelli.

Syracuse, NY -- On Sunday, Temple Concord will rededicate the building in which members have worshipped since 1911.

The ceremony will closely follow the original dedication ceremony, in 1911. Besides using the same liturgy and music, Mayor Stephanie Miner will participate, just as the mayor of Syracuse did in 1911.

“We owe a lot of respect and gratitude to those who came before us,” said Temple Concord Rabbi Daniel Fellman. “We hope that this is just the first century and that there will be many more.”

The 500-family congregation was founded in 1839 and is one of the oldest in the United States — one of the characteristics that makes it unique, Fellman said.

“This congregation has been very solid,” he said. “While other congregations have gone through many changes and ups and downs, ours has been a steady and solid course. We’ve been very fortunate to have real stability in this congregation.”

Syracuse resident Frances Smith, 97, has been part of the temple community since she was a child. Smith’s grandfather, Louis Glazier, was a founding member of Temple Concord. Glazier would sometimes bring Smith with him when he visited congregation members. She remembers how the men in the community would gather around and listen to Glazier talk about his native Germany.

“He was a lecturer and could write ... ,” Smith said. He started a language school for immigrants and taught at Syracuse University. Smith, an artist, designed the nameplate on the temple’s prayer books.

While the congregation has changed a lot over the years, keeping tradition alive has remained a constant. “The congregation today is very different from the congregation that built that building 100 years ago. The needs of the individual members have changed dramatically,” Fellman said. “Now the challenge is holding onto our faith and our tradition in a world that’s constantly changing.”